message from speed

2005-09-14 - SOILWORK vocalist Bj&ouml;rn "Speed" Strid has posted the following message on the band's official web site:

"We're back in Sweden now, have been sleeping straight for almost 24 hours.. It's really hard to melt all the impressions from Ozzfest. I gotta say that the tour went much faster than I expected. We had a lot of great times even though we were pretty much stuck in a 'heavy metal parking lot' everyday. We got to meet a lot of cool people, both fans and bands. My personal favorite band on the second stage would probably be THE HAUNTED. I gotta give Peter Dolving some cred for being the best fucking singer on that stage. He was also brave enough to perform naked for a whole song in a country where you'll almost get arrested by saying the word 'dick' in public.

"I gotta say that it was a sad feeling leaving America with a thought that one of the cities that I've enjoyed the most, New Orleans is no more and that the place turned into a complete warzone. Just remembering walking those streets last year makes the whole thing unreal. We send our condolences to all the victims.

"Last but not least, I wanna thank all the bands and fans at the second stage for keeping it real. To quote Adam from KILLSWITCH ENGAGE: That's where the heart and soul was during whole Ozzfest! Thank you!!! We'll see you all in November on tour."

In a separate posting, Strid offered the following information on the band's upcoming touring activities:

"Today we have confirmed HATESPHERE and CONSTRUCDEAD as supporting acts for the European headliner tour starting on the 5th of October in Helsinki. Both bands are very promising and both have great albums coming out very soon. Both bands has also a reputation of being great live bands. This bill won't make you disappointed! Check out the tour schedule and don't you miss the show. We have also confirmed the November tour with FEAR FACTORY in North America. We will be direct support to FEAR FACTORY and there will be two more killer bands on the bill: STRAPPING YOUNG LAD and <a href="http://www.nuclearblast.de/band_showa.php?artist=458">DARKANE </a>! How about it, folks!? Unfortunately, we'll jump on the tour a week later from where the tour starts. I'll keep you posted on exactly what date."